MNG3702 ASSIGNMENT 2 OF SEMESTER 1
2023
UNIQUE CODE: 575654
,MNG3702 Assignment 2 Semester 1 (2023) Unique Code: 575654
Question 1
What is Walmart and what is its vision and mission?
Walmart is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of
hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. The company was
founded in 1950 by Sam Walton in Bentonville, Arkansas. Today, Walmart is the
largest retailer in the world.
Walmart's vision is to be the best retailer in the hearts and minds of consumers and
employees. Its mission is to save people money so they can live better lives. The
company achieves this by selling commodities at reduced prices, which helps
consumers save money. Walmart's values are service to the customer, respect for
individuals, striving for excellence, and action with integrity. The company fosters a
culture of integrity and upholds policies for ethical behaviour everywhere they have
operations. Walmart's leadership is committed to sustainable practices and has
taken measures to become more ethical, socially, and environmentally responsible.
In 2010, Walmart acquired majority shareholding (51%) in Massmart Holdings Ltd, a
South African retail group that owns brands such as Game, Makro, Builders, and
Cambridge Foods. Walmart's business strategy is based on cost leadership, with the
aim of offering the widest choice of products for the cheapest price while giving
customers the opportunity to choose the most convenient channel to facilitate the
purchase.
Organizational culture is the shared values, beliefs, and assumptions that shape how
people behave and interact within an organization. There are typically three layers of
organizational culture that shape how an organization operates:
4
, MNG3702 Assignment 2 Semester 1 (2023) Unique Code: 575654
1. Visible artifacts: This layer includes the physical and observable components
of an organization's culture such as the physical environment, dress code,
symbols, rituals, language, and technology. These artifacts are the most
visible aspects of an organization's culture, and they can help to establish a
sense of identity and belonging among employees. In the case of Zappos, the
company's playful and relaxed work environment, including its colourful decor,
and frequent use of humour, are all examples of visible artifacts that
contribute to its unique culture.
2. Values and norms: This layer of organizational culture is comprised of the
shared beliefs, attitudes, and expectations that shape employee behaviour
within the organization. Values are the core principles that an organization
holds dear and that guide decision-making, while norms are the unwritten
rules and expectations that guide behaviour within the organization. At
Zappos, the company's core values include things like "deliver WOW through
service," "create fun and a little weirdness," and "be humble." These values
are integrated into the company's culture and help to guide employee
behaviour and decision-making.
3. Taken for granted assumptions: This layer of organizational culture consists of
the deeply ingrained, unconscious beliefs and assumptions that guide
behaviour within an organization. These assumptions are often so deeply
embedded that they are taken for granted and rarely questioned. At Zappos,
an example of a taken-for-granted assumption might be the belief that
customer service is the company's top priority, and that going above and
beyond to make customers happy is simply part of the job. This assumption is
so deeply embedded in the company's culture that it guides employee
behaviour without even being explicitly stated.
Overall, these three layers of organizational culture work together to shape the
behaviour, beliefs, and attitudes of employees within the organization, and can play
a significant role in an organization's success.
Together, these three layers of organizational culture shape how people behave and
interact within an organization, and can have a profound impact on the success or
failure of the organization. Understanding the different layers of organizational
5
2023
UNIQUE CODE: 575654
,MNG3702 Assignment 2 Semester 1 (2023) Unique Code: 575654
Question 1
What is Walmart and what is its vision and mission?
Walmart is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of
hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. The company was
founded in 1950 by Sam Walton in Bentonville, Arkansas. Today, Walmart is the
largest retailer in the world.
Walmart's vision is to be the best retailer in the hearts and minds of consumers and
employees. Its mission is to save people money so they can live better lives. The
company achieves this by selling commodities at reduced prices, which helps
consumers save money. Walmart's values are service to the customer, respect for
individuals, striving for excellence, and action with integrity. The company fosters a
culture of integrity and upholds policies for ethical behaviour everywhere they have
operations. Walmart's leadership is committed to sustainable practices and has
taken measures to become more ethical, socially, and environmentally responsible.
In 2010, Walmart acquired majority shareholding (51%) in Massmart Holdings Ltd, a
South African retail group that owns brands such as Game, Makro, Builders, and
Cambridge Foods. Walmart's business strategy is based on cost leadership, with the
aim of offering the widest choice of products for the cheapest price while giving
customers the opportunity to choose the most convenient channel to facilitate the
purchase.
Organizational culture is the shared values, beliefs, and assumptions that shape how
people behave and interact within an organization. There are typically three layers of
organizational culture that shape how an organization operates:
4
, MNG3702 Assignment 2 Semester 1 (2023) Unique Code: 575654
1. Visible artifacts: This layer includes the physical and observable components
of an organization's culture such as the physical environment, dress code,
symbols, rituals, language, and technology. These artifacts are the most
visible aspects of an organization's culture, and they can help to establish a
sense of identity and belonging among employees. In the case of Zappos, the
company's playful and relaxed work environment, including its colourful decor,
and frequent use of humour, are all examples of visible artifacts that
contribute to its unique culture.
2. Values and norms: This layer of organizational culture is comprised of the
shared beliefs, attitudes, and expectations that shape employee behaviour
within the organization. Values are the core principles that an organization
holds dear and that guide decision-making, while norms are the unwritten
rules and expectations that guide behaviour within the organization. At
Zappos, the company's core values include things like "deliver WOW through
service," "create fun and a little weirdness," and "be humble." These values
are integrated into the company's culture and help to guide employee
behaviour and decision-making.
3. Taken for granted assumptions: This layer of organizational culture consists of
the deeply ingrained, unconscious beliefs and assumptions that guide
behaviour within an organization. These assumptions are often so deeply
embedded that they are taken for granted and rarely questioned. At Zappos,
an example of a taken-for-granted assumption might be the belief that
customer service is the company's top priority, and that going above and
beyond to make customers happy is simply part of the job. This assumption is
so deeply embedded in the company's culture that it guides employee
behaviour without even being explicitly stated.
Overall, these three layers of organizational culture work together to shape the
behaviour, beliefs, and attitudes of employees within the organization, and can play
a significant role in an organization's success.
Together, these three layers of organizational culture shape how people behave and
interact within an organization, and can have a profound impact on the success or
failure of the organization. Understanding the different layers of organizational
5
